Commercial Photography
Creating a Business Card
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Lesson Plan
Performance Objective
• Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to create a photographer’s business card using
correct formatting and design
Specific Objective
• Students will be able to define the term: business card
• Students will be able to identify the uses of a business card
• Students will be able to identify the correct dimensions of a business card
• Students will be able to select a style that is appropriate for a business card
• Students will be able to determine what should be included in a photographer’s business card
• Students will be able to create a photographer’s business card that accurately displays their contact
information
Terms
Business card
Time
When taught as written, this lesson should take two 90-minute class periods
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
130.91. (c) Knowledge and Skills
1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in commercial photography. The student is
expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content, technical
concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and terminology to write and edit documents;
and composing and editing copy for a variety of written documents such as brochures
4) The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use personal
information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation, and spreadsheet or database
applications for commercial photography projects.
9) The student develops employability characteristics. The student is expected to:
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(B) identify and demonstrate positive work behaviors and personal qualities needed to be
employable
(C) demonstrate skills related to seeking employment to find and obtain a desired job
10) The student develops an increasing understanding of commercial photography. The student is
expected to employ planning and time-management skills to complete work tasks.
11) The student develops an increasing understanding of commercial photography. The student is
expected to:
(D) analyze and apply the elements and principles of art to photographs
(F) demonstrate knowledge of good photographic composition and layout
(G) demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of different types of photographic media
Interdisciplinary Correlations:
English-English I
• 110.31(b)(1). Reading/Vocabulary Development. Students understand new vocabulary and use it
when reading and writing.
• 110.3(b)(11). Reading/Comprehension of informational text/procedural texts. Students understand
how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents.
• 110.53(b)(2)(B) employ precise language and technical vocabulary to communicate ideas clearly and
concisely
Occupational Correlation (O*Net – www.onetonline.org/):
Job Title: Photographers
O*Net Number: 27-4021.00
Reported Job Titles: Photographer, Photojournalist, Newspaper Photographer, Advertising Photographer,
Photo Editor, Sports Photographer, Studio Photographer
Tasks:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on a combination of factors such as
lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed
Use traditional or digital cameras, along with a variety of equipment such as tripods, filters, and
flash attachments
Create artificial light, using flashes and reflectors
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment,
and lighting to achieve desired effects
Review sets of photographs to select the best work
Manipulate and enhance digital images to create desired effects, using computers and specialized
software
Soft Skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Critical Thinking, Instructing, Judgment and
Decision Making, Monitoring, Operations Analysis, Reading Comprehension
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Accommodations for Learning Differences
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons may be modified to
accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special
Populations page of this website.
Preparation
• Review and familiarize yourself with the terminology, website links, and various business card styles
• Have materials and examples ready to go prior to the start of the lesson.
• Create/provide examples of business cards for students to see prior to the lesson.
• Have students bring business card paper or card stock paper for creating their own business cards
References
• Conduct an online search for sample business cards of photographers
• http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/jobcenter/?id=9084
• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/564/01/
Instructional Aids
• Instructor Computer/Projection Unit
• Lesson: Creating a Business Card
• Slide Presentation: Creating a Business Card
• Business Card Rubric
• Business Card Examples
• Business Card Instructional Handout
• Business Card Information Worksheet
• Books and websites from Reference list
Introduction
ASK: What is a business card? Have you ever been given a business card belonging to someone you know?
What did you think about the business card you saw?
[Allow students to share experiences, observations, etc.]
SHOW: Examples of business cards (digital and hard copy).
SAY: A business card is a small card that advertises what you do and provides your contact information so
potential clients can contact you or locate your website for more information. A photographer’s business card
is often different from a traditional business card because it may include photographic elements related to his
or her work.
Before designing your business card, you should understand what should be included, why it is important, and
what you hope to accomplish by including it.
With a little preparation, you can create a photographer’s business card that will help you achieve your goal of
obtaining new business contacts.
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Outline
MI
Outline
I. What is a business card?
II. Discuss the purposes of having a
business card
III. Differences between traditional
business cards and a photographer’s
business card
IV. The use of colors in a business
card
V. Adding graphics and images to a
business card design
VI. Business card tips & examples
VII. What should be included in a
photographer’s business card?
VIII. Designing your photography
business card
Instructor Notes
Begin slide presentation
Slides 2 & 3
Teacher may choose to pass
around examples of business
cards for students to examine.
Slide 4
The teacher may choose to
show some examples of regular
business cards and then some
photographer’s business cards
Slides 5 & 6
Discuss the proper uses of each
Slide 7
Teacher may choose to show
examples of photography
websites
Slides 8 – 11
Teacher may choose to show
other examples from various
websites
Slide 12
Hand out Business Card
Information Worksheet
Slides 13 & 14
Hand out Business Card
Instructional Handout along with
Rubric
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Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existenti
alist
Interpers
onal
Intrapers
onal
Kinesthe
tic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathema
tical
Musical/Rhyt
hmic
Natura
list
Verbal/Ling
uistic
Visual/Sp
atial
Application
Guided Practice
Provide examples of a variety of different business cards for students to examine. Encourage students to
explore the various websites you have provided. Discuss the following:
• What are the purposes and uses of a business card?
• Why is it important to choose an appropriate style for your business card?
• What should be included in a photographer’s business card?
Have students use the Business Card Information Worksheet to begin gathering information for their own
business card.
Independent Practice
• Students will refer to the sample provided to use as a model as they create their own business card.
• Students will choose appropriate colors, design, font style, photographs, and necessary information to
create a photographer’s business card
Summary
Review
Have students complete their business cards and share them with the class. Allow time for questions and
comments.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment
Any and all of the following can be used as informal assessments…
• Check for students being on-task throughout project
• Check for progress at the end of each class period
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Formal Assessment
Any and all of the following can be used as formal assessments…
• Assess the completed project according to the grading rubric provided
• Evaluate communication and writing skills as well as implementation of design principles in the
students’ completed business cards
Enrichment
Extension
Have students create a second business card using a different style than the one previously created. This will
allow them to have two sample business cards that they can choose from for their portfolio.
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Business Card Instructional Handout
Designing your Business Card
Follow the steps below to create a photographer’s business card
Step 1:
Using the blank business card template provided, sketch out the front and back of your
photographer’s business card. Upon completion, get approval from teacher before moving on.
Step 2:
Open up graphic creating software and create a document that is 3.5” by 2” and name
that file as: Business Card Front
Step 3:
Using the software, design the overall look of the business card, adding in the shapes,
color and formatting along with the required information for the front of your business card.
Step 4:
Save your file upon completion
Step 5:
Open up graphic creating software and create a document that is 3.5” by 2” and name
that file as: Business Card Back
Step 6:
Using the software, design the overall look for the back of your business card, including
shapes, color, and formatting along with any information you want to include on the back side.
Step 7:
Save your file upon completion
Step 8:
Once both sides are complete, print each image to scale and tape/glue them together to
create your final business card.
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BUSINESS CARD INFORMATION WORKSHEET
Basic Information:
Business Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________________________________
Web Site URL: _______________________________________________________________
Specific Information:
Types of Photography Provided: _________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Business ‘Phrase’ or Details: ____________________________________________________
Example Pictures to include:
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Business Card Rubric
Criteria
Presentation
and Format
(25 points)
Information
(25 Points)
Use of Images
& Graphics
(25 Points)
Spelling &
Grammar
(25 Points)
Comments:
Exceptional
Above Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
20-25 points
11-19 points
1-10 points
0 points
Presentation is
simple,
appealing, and
formatted
correctly
Presentation and
formatting are
somewhat
effective and
consistent
Presentation is
complex and
formatting is
inconsistent
No effectiveness
in presentation or
formatting
20-25 points
11-19 points
1-10 points
0 points
Information is
complete and
professional
terminology is
used
Information is
somewhat
complete; some
terminology is
used
Information is
incomplete, very
little terminology
is used
Information is
missing, no
terminology is
used
20-25 points
11-19 points
1-10 points
0 points
Images/Graphics
are used to
enhance the
business card
and are not a
distraction
Images/Graphics
are used
somewhat to
enhance the
business card
Images/Graphics
are a distraction
and make
reading text
almost
impossible
Images/Graphic
are not used
correctly and text
is unreadable
20-25 points
11-19 points
1-10 points
0 points
No Spelling or
Grammar Errors
1-2 Spelling or
Grammar Errors
3-4 Spelling or
Grammar Errors
5-6 Spelling or
Grammar Errors
TOTAL
POINTS:
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9
Points